These notes should help to introduce the club and what it does, and to indicate how you can go about joining our activities.

*Anyone who is an employee in the public sector or of Royal Mail, BT, or companies carrying out ex-civil service work; or is a past employee of one of these organisations who is retired on pension is eligible to join CSSC direct. If you aren't in any of those categories (for example you are not in employment, are self-employed, or work in the private or voluntary sector) you can join CSSC by being nominated by a friend or relation who is an existing member.

Do you need previous experience?

No! We are always happy to welcome newcomers - complete beginners and experienced canoeists alike. Most of our members had done little canoeing before they joined. We don't require you to turn up every week for formal courses, but our qualified instructors are keen to help you progressively learn, at your own pace, coaching you as often as you are able to come along.

We provide opportunities for beginners to try out the sport and to develop their skills, under qualified supervision, both in a swimming pool and outside, according to the season. Some canoeing skills are easier to learn inside in warm, still water, so we organise pool sessions during the winter in central London. Other skills benefit from practice outdoors in plenty of space: paddling in a straight line is not quite as easy as it looks!

What do we get up to?

Although generally known in the UK as "canoeing" rather than "kayaking", most of our activities actually involve the use of single person boats called 'kayaks' which are propelled with a double-bladed paddle while sitting. However, the Club also possesses two open 'Canadian' canoes. These large boats are propelled by a single-bladed paddle while kneeling or sitting,and can be paddled solo or in tandem with another person.

New members are welcome to take part in any of the Club's activities, according to their experience and ability. We are primarily interested in recreational canoeing (rather than competitions). This can take many forms, and we try to provide something to please everyone. A summary of the Club's calendar and trip reports are available on this web site; if you want further details we are always happy to send more detailed information to people who are interested in joining.

During the autumn and winter, we paddle in an indoor pool in central London - for training, practice and games!

During the spring and summer, we paddle on the River Thames at Chiswick, gathering at the King's House Sports Ground close to Barnes Bridge. These evening trips are good fun, a good chance to meet socially, get a bit of exercise, and for beginners, learn the basic skills. Within two or three miles of Chiswick, there are a number of very decent pubs - useful for a quick break during the evening!

We also organise weekend paddling on rivers in the South East of England. Day trips are designed to help beginners and to provide practice in basic moving water skills. These trips are also a great way of exploring our local area.

The Club also provides an unrivalled opportunity to get away from London at weekends and see other beautiful parts of the country.

Throughout the year, we organise regular weekend trips away to white water rivers in Wales, the South West and so on, aiming to provide the variety to suit both experts and beginners to white water. Unsurprisingly, the best white water is found naturally in the wetter months of the year, but certain rivers have dam releases and so can be paddled in the summer.

We also enjoy sea kayaking. We organise several weekend or day trips every year, but our sea kayaking tends to be restricted to the summer and autumn when the hours of daylight are longer and water/air temperatures are higher.

We also organise annual summer holiday. For example in recent years we have gone white water paddling in the Alps, sea kayaking in the Channel Islands and canoeing on lakes in Sweden.

What equipment do you need?

The Club has a dozen or so general-purpose kayaks available for members' use, plus paddles, buoyancy aids, spraydecks and helmets, as well as some more specialised (white water and sea) kayaks, and two open canoes. The only thing which beginners need to provide, apart from enthusiasm, is suitable clothing. In the summer, this need be no more than shorts, T-shirt and gym shoes, plus a fleece for cooler days, and a waterproof anorak or canoeing cagoule on chilly days or if it rains. For winter canoeing or moving water, a wetsuit ("long-john" and boots), with a cagoule, is normally used. A towel has been known to come in handy!

Beginners are advised not to buy equipment until they have had the chance to try it out, and to get expert advice (eg from the Club's more experienced members). There is a great variety of types of boats and equipment available, and it is a shame to make mistakes over hasty purchases. For example, someone who wants to specialise solely in flat water touring would look for a quite different type of canoe from that used for white water playboating. There is normally no urgency for new members to buy their own equipment.

What does it cost to join?

Our annual subscription is currently £30.00 per annum, but a reduced rate is payable by those joining the club for the first time after more than 3 months of the calendar year have already elapsed. You will also need to pay CSSC their subscription (£44.40 per annum or £3.70 per month in 2013). We do not expect newcomers to join until they have had the chance to meet us and have a go, but charges are made to all non-members taking part in Club activities, in respect of temporary membership. We also make small charges for the use of Club equipment, and for everyone using the pool.

If you'd like to join, or to add yourself to the Club's mailing list, then please download a copy of our Membership Form - (Adobe Acrobat format - 71KB), fill it in and post it to us or scan a signed copy and email it to us.

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